CVE-2017-13886 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
In macOS High Sierra before 10.13.2, an access issue existed with privileged WiFi system configuration. This issue was addressed with additional restrictions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-13886 represents a significant access control flaw within macOS High Sierra versions prior to 10.13.2, specifically affecting the privileged WiFi system configuration components. This issue stems from inadequate restriction mechanisms that allowed unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges when interacting with wireless network settings, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The flaw existed within the system's security model where proper access controls were not adequately enforced during WiFi configuration operations, particularly when dealing with privileged system components that should only be accessible to administrators or system processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a weakness in the macOS security framework where the system failed to properly validate user permissions when accessing WiFi configuration interfaces. This access issue manifested as a failure to enforce mandatory access controls that should have prevented regular users from performing administrative WiFi configuration tasks. The flaw essentially allowed a local attacker to bypass normal permission checks and execute privileged WiFi operations that should have been restricted to system administrators or root-level processes. This represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking and access validation within system services that handle sensitive network configuration parameters.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate wireless network settings in ways that might compromise system security and network integrity. An attacker with local access could potentially modify WiFi configurations to redirect network traffic, disable security features, or establish persistent access points that could be used for further exploitation. The implications extend beyond simple configuration changes as these modifications could affect network connectivity, security posture, and potentially provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability could also enable attackers to modify system-wide WiFi settings that affect multiple network connections and potentially expose the system to man-in-the-middle attacks or network reconnaissance activities.
The security implications of this access issue align with CWE-284, which describes improper access control vulnerabilities where insufficient restrictions allow unauthorized access to protected resources. This particular flaw demonstrates how inadequate access control enforcement in system-level services can create privilege escalation opportunities that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the use of privilege escalation techniques through local system access, where the flawed access controls provide a pathway for attackers to gain elevated privileges without requiring additional exploitation methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on applying the official macOS security updates that were released as part of the 10.13.2 update cycle. System administrators should ensure that all macOS systems are maintained at current security patch levels and implement regular update policies to prevent similar issues from arising. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unauthorized WiFi configuration changes, implementing network access controls that limit the impact of compromised systems, and maintaining comprehensive system logging to detect suspicious access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and system integrity protection mechanisms that can help prevent exploitation of similar access control vulnerabilities in other system components.